Marin Cilic vs Zhizhen Zhang Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Hangzhou Open

Prediction published on 23/09/2024, 12:44  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 23/09/2024 at 12:47 in Tennis Predictions

Sixth seed Zhang Zhizhen will play wildcard Marin Cilic in the Hangzhou Open final. The winner here will claim their first title of the year. Below we highlight stats leading up to this match and offer our prediction.

Cilic has ended a two-year wait for a tour final appearance and hopes to end a three-year wait for a tour title. The Croat has won 20 tour titles in his career but injuries and poor form have slowed his superb record.

Cilic, who has played just 13 matches this season, defeated fourth-seed Brandon Nakashima in the semi-finals. After winning the first set 6-4, Cilic needed a tiebreaker to secure the 2-0 win in the second set.

He has now compiled a 7-6 record and his performance here has moved him more than 500 places in the live ranking. The former world number three is now placed 276th in the ATP.

As Cilic is looking to end a three-year wait for a tour title, his opponent in Hangzhou is seeking his maiden tour title. Zhang Zhizhen is having his best-ever performance at a tour tournament.

Before arriving at this 250 event, he had never progressed past the semi-finals at tour level, losing twice. To finally get over the hump, the Chinese player defeated countryman Bu Yunchaokete in straight sets.

The first set was hotly contested and needed a tiebreaker. Now, Zhizhen will be eager to secure his first tour title on home soil.

The 27-year-old, who has alternated between the tour and challenger circuits this year, has won his last three matches in straight sets. He has improved his record to 24-22 by advancing to the final and leapt up to 41st place in the live ranking.